Conflict and a whole body experience
It’s common knowledge that “Fight
or bolt” is our first response to any threat. For more than five decades , I believed this
implied quick exit from the
scene ( in car ie; ). As I am now unable
to run even to save my own life, It remains a distinct possibility that I must
have devised an effective form of self-preservation unconsciously. Sometimes I even
Hallucinate that I have established some form of survival instinct mechanism for
the whole of mankind.
Observing
my unsophisticated attempts at getting fit after a recent health scare, two fitness conscious old Bandicoots, my
childhood friends took pity on me and badgered me ( anyboby can counsel us these days , the world has
evolved! ) on the virtues of metabolic conditioning
in any fitness/ weight loss programme. They
went on to lecture me on how
running is as significant to people as breathing. I thought for a moment .How
true! to survive cavemen had to run –
either to escape from ferocious predators
or to fetch dinner .. Running has been our way of
life since the beginning of human race they declared, hailing the exploits of Jim Hines, Charles Greene . & others.Everyone has
the potential to achieve, they
concluded even as I asked myself “ are these Wacky Geezers including
themselves in the list?”
Harassed & hounded, I made
an ambitious foray into a barn of agony that most millennial fondly refer to as ‘gym’. I looked around at the various contraptions that looked like
construction equipment . At the behest of the Trainer, who I suspect had
already been suitably Primed by the two
well -meaning friends, I climbed on to the treadmill belt. Although
the control panel resembled a cockpit console of an aircraft,
I felt consoled by the sight of a
red “Kill” switch that would stop the machine instantly. After pressing some assorted
buttons, I began to walk without covering any distance and no landscape,pedestrians,
vehicles or scenery passed by. With a
wicked twinkle in his eye, The trainer ramped up the speed . In less than 30 seconds ,
my legs were rendered rubbery
and heart pounded like a jack hammer,.
Questions like ‘why am I punishing myself
?”, “ is this body the real me?”, “What
if I don’t look like Mr.Universe?”and “ after
all this where is the guarantee that my
fat will melt”? Persistently
riddled the mind.Stung by these
deadly queries, I was on the verge
of collapsing .Yet, the trainer prompted me to
continue .
I somehow managed to
survive two minutes ( a whole 120 Secs)when
my mind & body conspired , plying compelling evidences for quitting this drudgery
. I was on the verge of yielding to the dictates of my mind when the trainer
reminded me of the prized goal and how “minor”
inconveniences yielded grand rewards.
But, At seven minutes,
my body and mind hammered in their unanimous verdict to abort the mission. And
I readily surrendered to the epochal verdict. I staggered off towards the exit.
Once home,I sank into that cushioned chair in front of the TV with deep gratitude for the familiar Cozy surroundings.
Mulling over the disaster I was amazed
by the intensity of the duel between mind and body whenever an
unaccustomed activity is pursued. Mind’s ability to initially woo, then persuade
& ultimately intimidate is
disconcerting.
I am now satisfied that
controlling our mind is a formidable but nobler task. Therefore,I have banished
the idea of jogging ( & affectionate advise too) and such other “belligerent” activities. I am now a devout fan of meditation, which is
vastly non-violent and spiritually elevating.
My weight loss programme continues to remain
a cherished dream
But wait, just now an ad ticker is flitting
across the TV screen, which reads
“Lose unwanted weight the easy
way, by doing……………… nothing, for details Whattsapp: 8*********”. That chattering monkey in the head is going berserk.
